Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-23
FARM TOPICS.
HOG KILLING SUGGESTIONS

mean, nasty job and the more I'M
comfortable il there is alienation from
the hot water of the scalding-tub TO
the freezing temperature outside. IL
possible. dressing the hogs should be
done in building sheltered from
winds Have all the implements ready
before the work beg ms. so that there
need be no unnecessary DELAYS.
CLEANING PORK BARRELS.
Before putting up new pork it is very
important TO see that the barrel is per-
fectly sweet The germs of decay if
not entirely destroyed rapidly propa-
gate when fresh material is given them
to work on. Even salt in unlimited
quantities will not save pork m the bar
rel is in any way out of order. Barrels
that have been used for packing beef
are especially liable 10 get ont of order
and had better be put 10 some other
use than for keeping pork.
HORSES FEET ON HARD PAYMENTS.
Contrary to the natural impression,
the very hard stone pavement in cities
is not so hard on horses feet as the
smoother surface of equally hard as
phalt I'm the latter the horses shoes
strike squarely upon the unyieding
surface. with nothing to break the force
of the blow. On cObble stone every
few steps the small uneven surface hits
The frog of the foot, slightly expanding
it and thus dim nishing the tendency to
contracted hoof
FARM SUPPLIES OF BOLTS AND CLEVISEs.
We have sometimes thought every
farmer should have blacksmith shop.
II this is unattainable he ought at least
to supply himself with full assortment
of bolts clevises. wrenches and other
iron ware needed in making repairs to
broken wagons or farm implements.
Often with these he can repair the
damage in less time than would be
needed TO run TO the shop; and in
busy season the time saved is more
than the money saving in cost of doing
the work.
fOIASH AND POTASH.
Mr.. A. S Fuller, in scusson on
fertilizers at the American Pathological
Society, laid stress on the important
fact that potash from feldspar is COM
parativcly worthless. in fact, he don't
believe it is worth anything as q fer
tlizes while that from wood ashes,
having been once through the plants, is
valuable. Analysis shows that both are
potash. but plants know better than to
accept them alike. 1t is a point worth
the attention of all cultivators who EN-
poy artificial manures.
GATES VS.. BARS
The old-fashioned bars formerly seen
on farms as the open ngs TO fields and
lots are now seldom used. They have
given way 10 gates. which if kept in
order are every way superior The
gate may cost little more to make at
first, though it uses lltle more lumber
than pair OF bars. The extra expense
is for hinges and is fare more than re-
paid by saving of time Many of the
old-fashioned farm methods were fear
fully wasteful OF the farmers time and
strength. 1t seemed to be thought il
made little difference how hard or long
he worked. provided money saving
was thereby effected.
THE ONION CROP.
The onion crop j. said to be short all
L.. a Il.
the yield is small. The Connecticut
crop is slight; the average yield on 800
acres is 100 barrels an acre. much be-
low last Spring. and inferior in size and
keeping quality. The onon-growing
towns Of New York generally report
small crop and in Orange County the
shortage is serious; the 2j00 acres of
onions will produce some $50, 600 BUSH
els in all. against nearly 600. 600 in
1885, which are now selling at - per
sack of 100 pounds. The New jersey
crop is also short. The same story
comes from all over the west
EARLY MATURING HOGS.
1t may be well enough for Sou thern
farmers to keep swine that require two
or even three years to reach full
growth. But whenever Northern cold
prevails during six months of the year
it is important that the hog should
reach the fattening point in something
less than year Animals all grow
fastest when young, and not only that.
but they make much the most growth
for food consumed Sows for breeding
may proitably be kept three or four
years f they prove good mothers. But
all other hogs should be shielded from
cold by putting them in the barrel ear
", Just rs if we loved them. and indeed
we do.
BATTENING WITH STRAW.
ANY farmer is inexcusable. saws the
Weekly Press. who allows his stock to
go into Winter quarters poorly shelter
ed from storms. IL does not need